Before we begin
How to use this checklist
This article is educational and informational only. It does not provide diagnosis, treatment, prescribing advice, legal advice, emergency medical advice, or clinical instruction.
WardWise does not tell people to ignore healthcare professionals. It helps people understand how to ask clearer questions, record what matters, and remain involved inside healthcare conversations.
If someone is seriously unwell, deteriorating, unsafe, unconscious, short of breath, experiencing chest pain, severely injured, confused, fitting, bleeding heavily, or at immediate risk, seek urgent medical help immediately.
This is not a script for conflict.
This checklist is designed to help you slow down a decision, understand what is being proposed, and record what still needs clarification.
You do not need to ask every question every time. In urgent situations, professionals may need to act quickly. But when there is time to discuss, these questions can help protect understanding.
Clarity before agreement.
The checklist is for preparation, not confrontation.
Before agreeing where time allows, ask:
- What exactly is being proposed?
- Why is this recommended for me or this person?
- What benefit are we expecting?
- How likely is that benefit?
- What are the common side effects or downsides?
- What rare but important risks should I know?
- Are there alternatives?
- What happens if I wait or do nothing for now?
- What should I watch for afterwards?
- Who do I contact if I am worried?
The three questions that matter most when time is short.
If you only have time for three questions, focus on purpose, risk and next step.
Ask:
- What is the purpose of this?
- What are the main risks of doing it or not doing it?
- What should happen next?
The uncertainty question.
Many people are never told what remains uncertain. This matters because uncertainty changes how people should monitor, follow up and interpret symptoms.
Ask this
“What are we still uncertain about, and what would change the plan?”
The record box.
After the conversation, write down the answer in plain English. If you cannot explain it to someone else, you may not yet understand it clearly enough.
Write:
- Decision discussed
- Main benefit
- Main risks
- Alternatives
- Urgency
- Warning signs
- Follow-up plan
- What remains unclear
Use this alongside the full Consent & Decisions Pack.
This checklist is the quick tool. The full pack should expand the decision record, family questions, risk/benefit worksheet and follow-up notes.
Source notes.
This article uses official UK professional standards and public healthcare guidance as reference points while keeping the WardWise position independent and public-facing.
Before we begin
Important boundary
This article is educational and informational only. It does not provide diagnosis, treatment, prescribing advice, legal advice, emergency medical advice, or clinical instruction.
WardWise does not tell people to ignore healthcare professionals. It helps people understand how to ask clearer questions, record what matters, and remain involved inside healthcare conversations.
If someone is seriously unwell, deteriorating, unsafe, unconscious, short of breath, experiencing chest pain, severely injured, confused, fitting, bleeding heavily, or at immediate risk, seek urgent medical help immediately.